Notice of Suspension
John E. Ryznic, of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, a patent
agent, registration number 40,451. In settlement of a complaint the
General Counsel, on behalf of the Director of the United States Patent
and Trademark Office has ordered the suspension of Ryznic for violating
USPTO Disciplinary Rule ("DR") 10.23(b)(6) (engaging in conduct
that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice), DR 10.23(c)(16)
(failure to cooperate with the Director in connection with an
investigation), DR 10.23(c)(19) (aiding in the prosecution of a patent
application while employed by the USPTO), DR 10.23(c)(20) (knowing
violation of applicable Federal conflict of interest laws), DR
10.40(b)(2) (failure to withdraw when continued representation would
result in violation of a Disciplinary Rule), DR 10.77(b) (handling a
legal matter with inadequate preparation under the circumstances), DR
10.77(c) (neglect of an entrusted legal matter), and DR 10.112(c)(3)
(failing to identify and safeguard the client's property (files)).
Ryznic is suspended for TWO YEARS from practice before the United
States Patent and Trademark Office in patent, trademark and other
non-patent cases. The suspension runs from February 3, 2003. This
action is taken pursuant to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 32, and 37
C.F.R. 10.133(g) and 10.159.
February 3, 2003 HARRY I. MOATZ
Director of Enrollment and Discipline
Notice of Suspension
Matthew J. Cohen, of Menlo Park, California, a patent attorney,
registration number 42,426. In settlement of a complaint the General
Counsel, on behalf of the Director of the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, has ordered the suspension of Cohen for violating
USPTO Disciplinary Rules (DR): DR 10.23(b)(6) (engaging in conduct that
adversely reflects on his fitness to practice), DR 10.48 (sharing legal
fees with a non-practitioner), DR 10.68(a) (accepting compensation,
without consent of client after full disclosure, from someone other
than the client for legal services to or for that client), DR 10.77(b)
and (c) (neglect of an entrusted legal matter), DR 10.23(b)(4)
(engaging in conduct that involved misrepresentation), and DR
10.112(c)(2) and (c)(3) (failing to identify and safeguard the client's
property (files)). Cohen is suspended for eighteen months from practice
before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent,
trademark and other non-patent cases. The suspension runs from February
2, 2003. This action is taken pursuant to the provisions of 35 U.S.C.
32, and 37 C.F.R. 10.133(g) and 10.159.
December 11, 2002 HARRY I. MOATZ
Director of Enrollment and Discipline